Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy January -- December 2010 PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE REPORT FOR THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES PO Box 3427 Palos Verdes Peninsula, NATURAL COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PLAN California 90274 T 310-541-7613 F 310-541-7623 www.pvplc.org May 2011 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2010 PVNP Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Site Description ................................................................................................................................ 2 Management Plan .............................................................................................................................. 5 HABITAT RESTORATION AND MONITORING ............................................................................ 5 Habitat Restoration ......................................................................................................................... 5 Habitat Management Plan ....................................................................................................... 6 Additional Restoration .......................................................................................................... 11 Habitat Monitoring .......................................................................................................................... 15 Covered Species ....................................................................................................................... 15 Vegetation Mapping .................................................................................................................. 15 Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants .................................................................... 15 Brush Clearance ........................................................................................................................ 15 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND WILDLIFE MONITORING ............................................................ 16 TRAIL MANAGEMENT, IMPROVEMENTS, AND MONITORING .............................................. 16 Trail Management ............................................................................................................................. 16 Trail Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 17 Trail Markers and Decals ................................................................................................................ 17 Trail Repair ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Future Trail Projects ........................................................................................................................ 18 Ranger Program ................................................................................................................................ 19 VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................................................... 19 GRANTS AND FUNDING ...................................................................................................................... 20 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ........................................................................................................................ 21 i Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2010 PVNP Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP TABLES 1. Reserve Names of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve .................................................... 3 2. Restoration Project Schedule for Alta Vicente Reserve Phases 1 and 2 ..................... 7 3. Restoration Project Schedule for Portuguese Bend Reserve Phases 1-3 .................... 9 4. Restoration Project Schedule for Additional Restoration in Palos Verdes Nature Preserve ...................................................................................................................................... 12 5. Future Trails Project List ........................................................................................................... 18 FIGURES 1. Map of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve with Associated Reserves Locations ...... 4 2. Map of Restoration Areas at Alta Vicente Reserve .......................................................... 8 3. Map of Restoration Areas at Portuguese Bend Reserve ................................................. 10 4. Site map for All Restoration Projects in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve ............. 14 APPENDICES I. 2010 Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants II. Volunteer Involvement III. Research and Monitoring ii Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2010 PVNP Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP BACKGROUND INFORMATION The 2010 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan provides annual submittal requirements by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land PVPLC (PVPLC) on the status of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve). Additionally this report details stewardship activities, research, funding, and community involvement in the Preserve during the period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. The Preserve encompasses approximately 1,400 acres and is located on the southern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV), California. PVPLC serves as the management agency for RPV. The Preserve was formed under a draft Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) to “maximize benefits to wildlife and vegetation communities while accommodating appropriate economic development within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and region pursuant to the requirements of the NCCP Act and Section 10(a) of the ESA (URS 2004).” The primary focus of management for the Preserve is to maintain or restore habitat for the covered plant and animal species listed in the draft NCCP. A Habitat Management Plan was adopted in 2007 that outlines the restoration of 5 acres per year for a total of 15 acres over a 3-year period. This plan also outlined the methodology for removal of exotic plant species, a predator control plan, and the monitoring of covered plant and animal species. PVPLC attempts to seek additional funding when possible, to perform restoration on more than the minimum 5 acres per year required in the NCCP. Several opportunities of this nature occurred during the reporting period that will enable PVPLC to conduct additional restoration over the next 3 years. PVPLC also conducts scientific research and trail maintenance projects in the Preserve. Volunteers make up a large component of the management strategies for the Preserve. They assist in monitoring the properties, wildlife, and habitat as well as help restore habitat and maintain trails. Partnering with regional high schools and colleges allows for scientific research that expands our understanding of the Preserve. We also seek funding from a variety of sources including private donations, federal and state grants, and foundations. INTRODUCTION The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land PVPLC (PVPLC) serves as the management agency for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve), previously referred to as the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV). The Preserve was formed under a Draft Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) to “maximize benefits to wildlife and vegetation communities while accommodating appropriate economic development within the 1 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2010 PVNP Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP City of Rancho Palos Verdes and region pursuant to the requirements of the NCCP Act and Section 10(a) of the ESA (URS 2004a).” As a primary component of the NCCP, a Preserve design was proposed to conserve regionally important habitat areas and provide habitat linkages in order to benefit sensitive plants and wildlife. PVPLC manages the Preserve under an operating agreement with RPV. The operating agreement with RPV requires that PVPLC submit an annual report to the RPV City Council describing management activities with respect to habitat enhancement and restoration, property maintenance and monitoring, vegetation and wildlife monitoring, and efforts on targeted exotic plant removals. The 2010 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) provides annual submittal requirements on the status of the Preserve for the period of January 1, 2010-December 31,2010. It is accompanied by a status report for the Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants (TERPP). Volunteer involvement and support and student- based scientific research are also covered in this report. As stated above, the NCCP Implementing Agreement has not been signed by the regulatory agencies, and therefore, the NCCP is technically not officially executed. However, because it is anticipated that this agreement will be signed in the near future, this annual report was provided to satisfy the requirements of both the Management Agreement with RPV and the reporting requirements of the Draft NCCP. Annual reporting requirements for the Draft NCCP are detailed below. Additionally, once every three years, a Comprehensive report is required.